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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Strategies and Ideas for Supporting Families to be Effective Advocates' Track: 7 - Family Perspectives and Support Keyword(s): support families, data, resource materials Learning Objectives: identify successful strategies and ideas for supporting families, which includes resource tools and skills to be effective advocates for their infants/toddlers as they move through the lifespan. examine video clips, resource guide, care coordination notebook, and IEP books. role play how training supports guides/brokers to be balanced. Abstract: Attendees of this presentation will identify successful strategies and ideas for supporting families aged 0 - 22. Highlighted in this quick presentation will be: (1) Resources and tools families can use to be effective advocates for their children who are deaf/hard of hearing s as they move through the lifespan; (2) Strategies about quality peer support including the use of cultural brokers; (3) Support for program staff and volunteers to provide balanced information; (4) Skills for developing person-centered descriptions of a child that can be used in any service system; (5) Collaboration tips with other groups serving families (such as H&V, P2PUSA, Family to Family Network, military EFMP, and DeafBlind projects); and (6) Data showing impact. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Irene Schmalz - Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter VA Guide By Your Side      Credentials: Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction, University of Maryland.      Other Affiliations: Virginia Network of Consultants; Pepnet 2       Dr. Irene Schmalz received her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Maryland. She taught both undergraduate and graduate classes at George Washington University, University of Maryland, and George Mason University. In addition, she taught 2nd grade and was a Math Resource teacher for five years. Since 2007, Dr. Schmalz has been involved with Virginia's Guide By Your Side Program at the Center for Family Involvement at Virginia Commonwealth University. In her role as a Family Guide and Program Coordinator, she has supported over 350 families just learning of their child'd diagnosis of a hearing loss. Recently, Dr. Schmalz received the Hamilton Relay 2013 Better Hearing and Speech Month Recognition Award.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Dana Yarbrough - Co-Presenter Virginia Commonwealth University      Credentials: Dana has certification from George Washington University as a special education transition specialist, and holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice and a masters degree in non-profit leadership. B.S. Radford University, Radford, Virginia (1987) M.S. New England College, Henniker, New Hampshire (2010) Special Education Transition Certificate, The George Washington University (2010) M.Ed. The George Washington University, Washington, DC (2014)      Other Affiliations: President, Parent to Parent USA       Dana Yarbrough is the mother of a 19 year old daughter, Brooke, who has significant physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities. Dana serves as the Program Leader for Family & Individual Involvement and Support projects at the Partnership for People with Disabilities, Virginia’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities located at Virginia Commonwealth University. In her role, Dana directs the Center for Family Involvement, coordinates transition focused projects and supervises 14 parent and self-advocate staff members. Dana also serves as President of Parent to Parent USA, a national membership organization for 35 state Parent to Parent programs.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.